Building Bridges: How scholaris and ALine Architecture SparkCreativity Through STEM

When community partners come together with a shared vision, amazing things can happen. The recent
collaboration between scholaris LLC, a STEM-based after-school program, and ALine Architecture LLC,
a local Architecture & Design practice, located in Fairfax County, VA, is a shining example of how
businesses can combine expertise to create meaningful opportunities for children. At its heart,
this collaboration is about more than teaching—it’s about building connections. Connections between
disciplines, between ideas, and most importantly, between young learners and the community around
them.

Arts, Crafts, and the Science of Making
Through hands-on classes, scholaris and ALine Architecture invite students to explore art, science,
and design as interconnected worlds. Children aren’t just crafting—they’re learning about the
principles that shape our built environment. Lessons are woven with storytelling, giving
participants a chance to imagine and share their own narratives about what they build.

The “Bridging the Gap” class is a perfect example. Students explored different kinds of bridges,
from suspension to arch to beam structures, while experimenting with recycled materials like,
paper, cardboard and wood. Along the way, they practice hand skills, problem-solving, and
collaboration—skills as valuable in life as they are in engineering.

The Art of Building and Thinking by Hand
Architecture isn’t only about blueprints and buildings; it’s about cultivating curiosity and
creativity. By encouraging “hand thinking”—the practice of learning through making—students gain
confidence in their ability to bring ideas to life. These classes show that the act of building,
whether a bridge or a simple craft, teaches patience, precision, and imagination.

A Community-Centered Collaboration
What makes this collaboration successful is the focus on community enrichment. Scholaris provides a
nurturing environment for students to explore STEM, while ALine Architecture brings professional
insights into design, construction, and the art of building. Together, they offer children a way to
see the world differently—to recognize that every structure around them tells a story of science,
creativity, and human effort.

As scholaris and ALine Architecture continue their collaboration, the vision is clear: to inspire
the next generation of thinkers, makers, and dreamers. By bridging the gap between art and science,
between learning and doing, they’re showing that education can be both joyful and transformative.

After all, building bridges isn’t just about structures—it’s about connecting people, ideas, and
possibilities.